Barbra Streisand: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s ‘A Star Is Born’ Went in the ‘Wrong’ Direction
Barbra Streisand starred in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born alongside Kris Kristofferson. Streisand initially had kind words for the 2018 version with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper; however, she later criticized the film. Streisand wished the film starred a different pair of icons and centered around a different genre of music.
Barbra Streisand visited the set of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s ‘A Star Is Born’
According to Entertainment Weekly, Streisand visited the film set of A Star Is Born during its production. She gave Gaga and Cooper her blessing. “Everybody was so excited [Streisand] was here,” Cooper said. “We just looked at each other and were like, ‘Wow. How are we here right now?'” Gaga praised Streisand for her kindness.
Barbra Streisand’s initial reaction to ‘A Star Is Born’
Streisand’s initial reaction to the 2018 remake of the film was positive. “What I’ve seen of the film I really liked,” Streisand told The New York Times. She praised Gaga and Cooper’s remake for adding new elements to the story, particularly scenes with drag queens. She said what she saw of the movie was “interesting.”
Barbra Streisand changed her tune about the film
More recently, however, Streisand seems to have shifted her perspective. In a 2021 interview with The Project, Streisand discussed two actors who were once going to star in the 2018 film. “At first, when I heard it was going to be done again, it was supposed to be Will Smith and Beyoncé, and I thought, ‘That’s interesting,'” she said. “Really make it different again, different kind of music, integrated actors. I thought that was a great idea.”
Streisand had issues with the final film. “So, I was surprised when I saw how alike it was to the version that I did in 1976,” she said. She said the film was “the wrong idea” but noted it was commercially successful. “I can’t argue with success, but I don’t care so much about success as I do originality,” she revealed.
How the 1976 and 2018 versions of ‘A Star Is Born’ did at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes
Streisand had issues with Gaga and Cooper’s A Star Is Born; however, both the 1976 and 2018 versions garnered acclaim. Streisand’s A Star is Born was nominated for four Academy Awards. The film won for Best Original Song for “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born).” It also received five Golden Globe nominations and won all five awards, specifically Best Motion Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.
The 2018 version of A Star Is Born received eight Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Original Song for “Shallow.” The film also received five Golden Globe nominations and won for Best Original Song, again for “Shallow.”
Streisand had a mixed response to the 2018 version of A Star Is Born; however, it won some major awards.
